Chapter 17 Smoke On The Wind

• BRIANA
• Turning onto a narrow gravel road hidden by tall grass, I followed behind Jack’s trailer as we neared the end of our ten-day trip. The last stretch of the journey felt heavier on my chest than all the miles before it. Lace had chosen to ride with her parents after we left the diner, and truthfully, I was grateful for the peace. Those three hours alone in my truck gave me time to clear my head, to breathe, and to prepare myself for whatever tests the alpha of Silver Paw might put me through. Once I was accepted here, I planned to lock myself away in the little cottage waiting for me and finally let all the pain I’d been bottling up for ten long days pour out in private.
• The cool evening breeze drifted through the open windows of my truck, brushing against my face like a fragile comfort. I inhaled deeply, letting the air steady me—until something sharp struck my nose. Smoke. My nose twitched again, and this time I caught the metallic sting of blood tangled with it. My chest tightened instantly. Something was wrong.